Ohio high court offers judges fines, fees guidance

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COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — The Ohio Supreme Court is reminding
judges that conditions are limited under which they can jail an offender
for failure to pay fines.
A brochure being distributed to all
state judges follows a report last year that alleged several Ohio courts
are illegally jailing people because they are too poor to pay their
debts.
The report by the Ohio chapter of the American Civil
Liberties Union also found judges often deny defendants a hearing to
determine if they’re financially capable of paying what they owe.
Ohio
law permits judges to jail people for refusing to pay fines only if
they are financially able to pay and only after a hearing.
Chief Justice Maureen O’Connor of the Ohio Supreme Court said Wednesday she appreciated the ACLU raising
the issue.
Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights
reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or
redistributed.
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — The Ohio Supreme Court is reminding
judges that conditions are limited under which they can jail an offender
for failure to pay fines.
A brochure being distributed to all
state judges follows a report last year that alleged several Ohio courts
are illegally jailing people because they are too poor to pay their
debts.
The report by the Ohio chapter of the American Civil
Liberties Union also found judges often deny defendants a hearing to
determine if they’re financially capable of paying what they owe.
Ohio
law permits judges to jail people for refusing to pay fines only if
they are financially able to pay and only after a hearing.
Chief Justice Maureen O’Connor of the Ohio Supreme Court said Wednesday she appreciated the ACLU raising
the issue.
Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights
reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or
redistributed.

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